Sheriff claims deputies didn’t search lacrosse crew’s private gadgets, body camera exhibits in any other case

LIBERTY COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC/Gray News) - An incident that involved gamers from a university’s lacrosse group and deputies in Georgia remains under investigation.

WTOC stories Delaware State College President Tony Allen released a statement on Monday responding to the incident that reportedly occurred on April 20 in Liberty County.

Allen wrote Georgia law enforcement stopped a bus for a minor traffic violation with the Delaware State Lacrosse group on board. Deputies searched the belongings of the student-athletes, including suitcases with drug-sniffing canine.

“100% you possibly can’t be in that left lane at all,” mentioned a Liberty County Sheriff’s Deputy.

The staff was returning house from a sport in Florida and touring by a contracted bus, based on Allen.

Liberty County Sheriff William Bowman held a news conference in regards to the incident however took no questions. He claimed that no personal items on the bus have been searched.

Physique digicam video obtained by WTOC, nonetheless, clearly confirmed the deputies going via the scholars’ bags and even remedy.

The college president wrote in his statement that videos taken by players showed legislation enforcement attempting to intimidate them into confessing to possession of medication and/or drug paraphernalia.

“They didn’t really ask us,” mentioned Sydney Anderson, a Delaware State Lacrosse Participant. “They informed us of what they’re gonna do and nobody questioned them...we just let them rattle by way of our stuff.”

A participant on the bus requested: “How did we go from being within the mistaken lane to going by means of our baggage?”

A deputy responded: “Well, he stopped y’all, he didn’t stop y’all for a site visitors violation...he stopped the motive force for a traffic violation.”

Nothing unlawful was discovered within the search, and Allen informed the public that he has contacted Delaware’s governor, the Black Caucus and other state officials.

Allen wrote that everyone was incensed over the incident.

Allen also added the following:

“We do not intend to let this or another incident prefer it go idly by. We are ready to go wherever the evidence leads us. We have now video. We now have allies. Perhaps more significantly, we've the braveness of our convictions.”

Allen concluded his statement by writing, “We'll by no means be bullied into believing something other than what we are: People, learners, academics, builders—helpful and honorable individuals ready to soar.”

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